Stage Details

Legislation -
Bill Passed
(House)
(286-141) -
Feb. 28, 1995(Key vote)

Vote Result

Yea Votes

Nay Votes

Vote to pass a bill that requires Federal agencies to use risk assessment research and cost-benefit analysis to justify the adoption of new rules regulating human health, safety, or the environment.

Highlights:

Requires Federal regulators in specified agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to conduct risk assessment on all newly proposed rules and regulations using scientifically objective and unbiased information, and including all relevant data.

Requires Federal agencies to identify alternative regulations and strategies and analyze the positives and negatives of each strategy.

Prohibits any Federal agency from adopting any recommendation made by a non-United States-based entity concerning the health effects value of a substance, without an opportunity for notice and comment.

Requires agencies to certify when enacting a new rule that they used objective information, the strategy chosen is justified, and the new rule is superior in cost and flexibility.

Establishes peer review for all regulatory programs designed to protect human health, safety, or the environment that are likely to increase annual costs by over $100 million.

Exempts certain activities and situations from this act, including emergency situations and activities required to maintain military readiness.

Prohibits the creation of any new unfunded obligation or regulation under this act that imposes a financial burden on states.

Calls for continued research and testing to improve methods of comparative risk analysis.

Note:

NOTE: THIS VOTE WAS TAKEN UNDER A SUSPENSION OF THE RULES TO CUT OFF DEBATE EARLY AND VOTE TO PASS THE BILL, THEREBY REQUIRING A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY FOR PASSAGE.